Sephardic Jews
The Latest
-
News Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Sephardic Kingmaker of Israeli Politics, Dies at 93
Ovadia Yosef, the rabbi responsible for turning religiously observant Sephardic Jews from a marginalized minority into one of Israel’s most politically powerful groups, has died at age 93. Yosef was widely revered as a kind of living saint during his lifetime. He inspired adoring love songs extolling his virtues, and his death is expected to…
-
News Ovadia Yosef, Sephardic Kingmaker, Dies at 93
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, an Iraqi-born sage who turned an Israeli underclass of Sephardic Jews of Middle Eastern heritage into a powerful political force, died on Monday at the age of 93, a hospital spokesman said. Dubbed Israel’s Ayatollah by critics who condemned many of his pronouncements as racist – he likened Palestinians to snakes and…
-
Fast Forward Sephardic Jews Call $6M Heritage Project ‘Reparation’ for Inquisition and Expulsion
Spanish officials have helped rededicate two ancient Jewish cemeteries, as Portugal kicked off a $6 million project for preserving its Jewish heritage sites. The rededication ceremonies of the Jewish cemeteries of Lucena in southern Spain, dated to the 10th century A.D., and in Avila near Madrid, which was in use in the 12th century A.D.,…
-
Fast Forward Who Will Replace Ailing 93-Year-Old Shas Leader Ovadia Yosef?
The seriously ailing Rabbi Ovadia Yosef has broken off ties with his former protege for the second time since the summer, bringing their brief reconciliation to an end as the question of who will replace the 93-year-old Yosef as the Shas party’s spiritual leader remains unanswered. Yosef’s daughter-in-law and the strongwoman of Shas, Yehudit Yosef,…
-
Fast Forward 17th-Century French Sephardic Cemetery Restored
A municipality in southern France has begun renovating an ancient Sephardic cemetery. The first stage of the restoration of the 17th century cemetery in Bidache, 130 miles south of Bordeaux, began last week and will focus on a large arch built on the premises, the local daily Sud Ouest reported last week. The cemetery was…
-
Life A Woman’s Kaddish
Over the next week, the Forward will be collecting impressions and recollections from women about their role in Jewish mourning rituals. To share your story, click here. Catching a glimpse of your rabbi discreetly sneaking out of the room as you begin a eulogy for your grandfather is a little disconcerting. Two months ago, I…
-
News Genetic Testing For Sephardic Jews Faces Reluctant Community
When Jennifer was 26, people started asking her why she was limping. An exercise enthusiast, she brushed aside the question. Then she noticed she couldn’t run laps in her kickboxing class. No problem, she thought — running wasn’t her thing. Next, she started falling behind some older women in Pilates class. By that time, she…
-
Culture Genetic Diseases That Affect Sephardic Jews
Sephardic and Mizrahi Disorders Routine screening for Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews includes carrier screening for cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy as well as for hemoglobinopathies (such as beta thalassemia — see below). The following list includes a selection of some conditions that are more common in different Sephardic and Mizrahi populations. More specialized screening…
Most Popular
- 1
Opinion Outrage over Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed on sexual assault of Palestinians is missing the point
- 2
News They texted about Torah and mitzvahs. Feds say they were insider trading
- 3
Opinion I run The Jewish Theological Seminary. Here’s the real story about President Isaac Herzog speaking at our commencement
- 4
News Middlebury College Hillel votes to rebrand, distancing from parent group on Israel
In Case You Missed It
-
Culture At Eurovision, Israel’s near triumph shows the limits of tolerance
-
Fast Forward Israel’s Noam Bettan takes 2nd at Eurovision, buoyed by scrutinized public vote
-
Culture It looks like a kaffiyeh, but this pro-Israel influencer wants you to wear a sudra
-
Fast Forward Trump national Shabbat divides America’s Jews ahead of National Mall prayer rally